You'll find an interactive map of the Republic of Latvia above,
though you can't access the little yellow pegman from
that map. Use the link below it, "View Larger Map",
and the map will appear on your monitor; drag the
little Yellow Man onto the map, let go while he's
over a blue area, and start exploring. Find an
interesting subject/area. Change it all you want. Or paint
it straight up as you see it. Instructions are in
the sidebar to the right. Any questions, ask 'em in
the comments or email me directly.

This
month we travel to the northern European country of Latvia. You are free to travel all over the small country in search of the perfect scene. I think you'll find Latvia a beautiful, intriguing destination.

IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING...

It is necessary to stress the importance of a couple of rules.
One is the image size issue. It states in the rules
in the right sidebar on this blog that the image has
to be at a resolution of 72 and no larger than 1000
pixels on the widest side. Submissions not following the rules will not be posted.

IGNORE THE BLUE DOTS!
It appears that Google has now added every user
submitted photograph to the maps in the form of blue dots. Make
sure your reference comes from the actual Street View
application and not a photograph. Thanks.

Also, each artist must include the URL of the location that the artwork is based upon.
To find the URL is easy. In the maps mode, while
looking at your scene you have chosen, click the
"LINK" button at the top LEFT of the screen, check the "Short URL" button. With that link
highlighted simply copy it and paste into your email with
your submission. (How do you not lose your location? Click "SEND" with your view up and email it to yourself.) Remember, these buttons are found at the top left of the map.

So there you go. Should be
extremely easy. If your submission doesn't show up on
the blog, please check the list near the top in the
sidebar entitled, "Don't see your submission? This
could be the reason..." Thanks.

Thanks again to Google, as they have given their permission for
artists to use Street View as a reference for
paintings that can then be sold without fear of
copyright infringement.

Hosted by - Bill Guffey

Virtual Paintout

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The Main Rule

The Main Rule

The artist must use a view found through Google Street View as the reference for the painting or drawing. Artwork created from photographs not acquired through Google Street View will not be accepted. User Photos found as thumbnails in the upper right hand corner on some views (and now indicated also by the confusing blue dots) are not acceptable. Google Earth views are not acceptable either. The whole point is to "walk" around the streets using Google Street View, in the pre-determined area, as if you were actually participating in a real life paintout. Thanks.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for the current map!

DON'T SEE YOUR SUBMISSION? THIS COULD BE THE REASON...

- The image is not a jpg file.- The image is the wrong size.- Your name was not included.- The image was imbedded in the email and not added as a separate attachment.- The email did not include a URL (link) to the location used in the artwork. Instructions for attaching URL Link at the bottom under the map, HERE.- The image is blurry.- The image is not cropped properly (only art please).- The image wasn't attached to your email.- The artwork was not for the current location.

RULES FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROJECT ARE POSTED BELOW IN THE SIDEBAR, AND BELOW THE MAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.

VP Past Locations Map

Google approves using Street View for art!Google's Legal Team has confirmed that artists can use images from Google Street View as reference for creating paintings and drawings, and the artists can sell these works without fear of copyright infringement claim from Google.

One thing that needs to be made clear. If the artist shows an original view on which a painting is based, i.e. the original screenshot, make sure to keep the Google logo and copyright visible on that screenshot. No logos or mention of Google is necessary on your art itself. As an example, if you show your Street View art in a gallery and want to show the reference beside the painting, the reference would have the logo, not your painting.

Followers

Virtual Paintout on Facebook

The purpose...

To gather in one area of the world, virtually, once a month with other artists.

To paint or draw a scene and composition of your choosing, within a predetermined area.

You may put as many hours into the painting as you wish. You've got a month!

________________

Each project will begin on the first of the month and will end on the last day of the month. Submit your art during the month and it will be posted. Once the monthly location has ended no more art will be accepted for that particular month.________________

This monthly project is open to all, no matter the experience or level. All drawing and painting mediums are acceptable, with the exclusion of computer created/digital art. A new city will be posted monthly.

To get to Google Street View, go to Google/Maps. Find the city, zoom in, and drag and drop the little yellow man (in the top left corner) onto a street. A pop-up window will appear with a 360 degree photographic view. You may then travel the streets, looking around, to find your composition.

________________

Since you can't save a pic from Street View, I've found the easiest thing is to take a screenshot of your monitor screen. To do this with a PC simply hit alt + print screen. Open a photo program and paste into a new document. With a MAC press shift + command + 3. This will normally create a PDF that you can then open with Adobe Acrobat or a photo program. You may also take photograph of the scene as it's displayed on your monitor screen and open it in a photo editing software program, and work from that. You'll see that some verticals may need to be fudged a bit due to camera distortion.

Submitting Your Art

All artwork should be sent to me at bnguffey @ windstream.net, and should consist of an attachment of a good quality jpg image, adequately cropped to show nothing but the artwork. I will not post out of focus, poor quality photographs. Be professional. Make sure your name and website/blog address are included with your submission. Also be sure to include "Virtual Paintout" in the subject line. No large file sizes please. Do not exceed 1000 pixels on the widest side. Please keep the resolution to 72 also. Thanks.

A URL of the location is now required with each submission.It's easy to do. Just click the "LINK" button in the top right corner of the screen in Google Street View that you are painting/drawing. Copy the link URL and paste it into the email with your submission.You can easily click the "SEND" button in the same location and email the link to yourself so that you have it on file.(For digitally challenged individuals, there are many helpful tips on the internet regarding the resizing of photographs. A great link that should be used for this purpose is...HERE)

We must limit the number of artworks submitted to 3 (three) pieces per artist, per month.